Project Plans

I finished up a couple more washcloths including the knitted windowpane in blue & white. I will post pics tomorrow. I've been thinking, ooohing and aaahing over the Loop D Loop books. Oh there is so many different things I'd love to make but my favorite is this:

Cabled Riding Jacket ~ isn't it gorgeous.

So besides wanting to make this lovely, here are my wishlist items:

LDL Knitting
Corrugated asymmetrical v-neck ~ child size first
Irregular rib raglan with toggle
Fair Isle Hooded Capelet
Child's Geek Spiral Pullover

LDL Crochet
Knotwork Socks
Girl's Bolero
Medallion Hat
Marguerite Jacket
*really like but don't want to make one ~ Lazy Wheels Coat

I think my first project will be the Knotwork Socks. They will be challenging yet its crochet so I will be able to do them fairly quickly. ;D I will be going thru my stash to see if there is anything available for these projects before buying any yarn. I think I will buy some though, at least for the Cabled Riding Jacket ~ I'd like it is a rich chocolate color ~ and the socks. Off to research the cost of lace weight yarn ~ this I don't have in stash. LOL

Have a great evening!

More swap goodies....

I received a package from Finland today. It was for the chapstick/lip balm swap. I love strawberries and this one has a Lip Smackers strawberry in it. I also received a mixed fruit one by Casuelle ~ it melted but its fine. ;D

Thx so much Saalis ~ you are awesome. I absolutely love the postcard. Me and the pooch have a lot in common b/c I've been thinking alot about ice cream lately. ;D

Its been a great but tiring day and I've managed to finish off another dishcloth. I will start a new one for a KAL project ~ this one is for me ;D I am also looking thru Loop D Loop Crochet and Knitting ~ I love both these books and I've picked several things I'd love to work on. I've decided to work on a couple of projects for the fair and will need to concentrate on that. So when I send off the last swap package in 2 weeks ~ I'll be chillin' from that fun sport. There are plans to return to the swap scene sometime in Sept/Oct when the SP11 starts and the prayer shawl swap begin. But for now, its going to be restock, re-group and relax because my days are going to get really long in about 2 short weeks. More on that later.

Have a great evening!

~ at the homestead ~

Dinner ~ grilled chicken, green beans and rosemary herb french bread

Sounds ~ classical music

Thoughts ~ need more sleep and who ate all the ice cream ;D

Plans ~ dinner for tomorrow, sleep and more knitting

Whirlwind....

thats the best way to describe the past week and half. I have been knitting as I've been chauffeuring my family around town. I didn't realize how tired you could get from driving, waiting and driving some more in the heat. I've made great use of the time by making dishcloths and washcloths, reading patterns, listening to audio books and simply working to relax. There isn't much done at home but that will have to wait til we have our own car again, but I've managed to stay in budget again this week for groceries and make dinner each night except today. I didn't make dinner today because I was at a concert ~ Todd Agnew performed for free tonight at our new Riverpark. He sounded great and the storm passed quickly and didn't ruin the evening.

I've not had a chance to update my blogs but I've been thinking about all of you. I've even received several packages in the meantime and I've sent out several of them myself. I've been slow in getting them out because I've spent so much time driving instead of packing up boxes. I hope they all forgive me, I didn't mean to be late. ;D

Here are my progress pics for the July KAL

Stats ~ 6 dishcloths 4 done/3 WIPs; 4 washcloths 2 done/1 WIP

*the tan and white washcloth was crocheted during a 2hr trip to Bass Pro ;D



(ugly dishcloth exchange)












*I've run out of yarn for this one ;(

Swap packages: I Love Sock Yarn ~ from Else in Norway
(new pics tomorrow that are brighter)
beautiful postcard with a seagull in flight
2 skeins of Garnstudio's Fabel superwash
2 skeins of Safirgarn
5 packets of tea ~ Pompadour apple & fruit, Houji tea, Sogni d'oro camomilla, Teefix and Pickwick strawberry

Chapstick/Lip Balm ~ from PA
Bon Bon's Pink Lemonade & Root Beer Float
Avon's Jelly Beans & Winter Cherry

June Tote bag
3 skeins of Natural LB cotton
G Hook & yarn needles
I'll post the actual bag I'm making later along w/the rest of the package.

Gotta go now ~ more later in the week. Have a great week!

Getting some knitting done ;D

(Not Peds ~ Done)

Making progress on the KAL n KAL and I'm very happy about that. This week has flown by and left not much time for blogging. The computer is still slow but I managed to get on today. I will be at work most of the day, trying to sleep and driving alot tomorrow and dentist on tues. ;D I thought I'd update quickly so that I can get credit for my progress. I also received my Magic Yarn ball ~ thank you my angel, KnitterCritter. Have a wonderful Sunday!

July KAL progress photos:

1 finished dc

2 half done dcs

1 half done wc

~ Magic Yarn ball ~

Computer Woes!

I've been offline for need rest but mainly because it has been frustrating to use our computer at home. I am now considering my options for internet use but don't really want to burden the family income nor have to work more hours than I already do a week. Its not a very easy option for a mom who wants and needs to be home to have the luxuries of working from home with out some sacrifices. I'm resigned to not working full time until both kiddos graduate but this computer thing....I'm thinking its time for change. I've weighed my options, I could either spend about $3 in gas money to go to the library daily ($90 mo) or switch phone service that would give me DSL, phone & cable for about $100. I'd actually save $$ since I would no longer have the dial up fees or the phone bill. Hmm, definitely something to think and pray about. ;D

I've been doing some homemaking in my online silence. We celebrated the 4th together at our house again this year. I actually worked at the store for 3 hrs, this was the first time I've ever worked the holiday and it will be the last. Didn't like it but I could just be spoiled. LOL We had burgers, grilled chicken, baked beans, salad and chips. It was great. We had ice cream sodas for dessert, which are yummy. On the 3rd, I made homemade spaghetti sauce and for dinner we had spaghetti casserole which is a fav around here. I have sauce for about 2 additional meals and its almost time to go shopping again. I really did it ~ I stuck to my budget, I planned a few meals (yes, you read that right) and I managed to still have food left before going shopping again. Its a good thing too since the budget is a bit tight for the 1st of the month. I'm still in shock at the price of milk ~ $3.75 at Walmart, just totally unbelievable. I don't get it ~ everything is going up except the wages. Thats another story and I don't feel like gripping at the moment, so on to more pleasant things.

Knitting ~ I finished my footies. I've got them on now, yeah me! There would be a pic but its abit dark in the house and outside for that matter with the recent storms. We haven't had any flooding in my area but its not been a good time for most of the state. I've been praying the rain to those states that need it with the fires and that we don't have fire issues in Aug when it gets really dry.

I've been working on my dishcloths (3 WIPs) and washcloths (1 WIP) too. I'm half way thru the 3 dishcloths which is really good since the partners will be issued tomorrow and I'd like to put these in the mail this weekend. I've been taking a long look at my swaps and realized that I may have done one too many. ;D Its all good ~ I can complete them all but I think having no more than 3 going at once would be best for the future especially if any are international. I will be visiting the PO to send off several packages this weekend and checking out shipping rates. I have 3, count them 1-2-3, international partners. Its really cool but at the same time I'm asking ~ will it be pricey for shipping?! It will get done because thats the way I do things but I will be mindful of these things in future so as not to create any issues for myself. I've enjoyed shopping for these swaps and I look forward to sending them. I believe I enjoy giving more and more with each gift/swap. Now thats worth all the shipping fees, I think, the joy of giving pleasure to someone else.

Speaking of giving pleasure ~ on Monday, I received a box from my No Sheep Pal, she is awesome. It was all done up in red ~ my fav color, how'd she know. ;D Here are the pics I did manage to take before the storms.

3 Yankee Candle Factory candles ~ country linen, french vanilla, sunwashed linen, tea light holders, Dionis lotion ~ vanilla bean, Louet 100% Wet Spun Linen ~ fine/sock weight and a Sheep card (think we all are using these ~ LOL)

Simply awesome package and all I thought I was to get was non-wool yarn and a handwritten note. Thank you NSPal, I loved everything.

Need to go while the connection is working and update my other blogs, read emails ~ you know what happens when you've been offline for a bit, things pile up and I've got at least 4 email accounts to check on not to mention the groups I help moderate and visit a few blogs. ;) Have a great evening.